ESMV vs SPY
iShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, ESMV or SPY?
SPY has been ahead.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ESMV is less concentrated, with 15.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.2%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ESMV | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $8M | $823.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.42% | 0.99% |
| Holdings | 162 | 1,515 |
| YTD Return | +11.25% | +13.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.59% | +17.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.49% | +22.36%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.38% | +13.21%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.0%Best | 15.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.8%Best | -24.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,624 | $18,596Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 15.6%Best | 38.2% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 2, 2021 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 4, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (4.9 years).
ESMV vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 4.9 years both funds cover.
ESMV vs SPY Performance
iShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (ESMV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year ESMV returned +10.59% while SPY returned +17.47%. Year to date, ESMV is up 11.25% versus a gain of 13.53% for SPY.
Over three years, ESMV compounded at +12.49% per year against +22.36% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +6.38% and +13.21% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 13.0% for ESMV. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -19.8% for ESMV and -24.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ESMV charges 0.18% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $9 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ESMV currently yields 1.42% against 0.99% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
93.5% of ESMV's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 58.0% of SPY's money is in holdings ESMV also owns.
Most of ESMV is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
141 positions in common, counted across the 159 positions we hold weights for in ESMV and 504 in SPY, against full books of 162 and 1,515.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 358 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for ESMV (41.2% of the fund), and 13 for ESMV that do not appear in SPY (5.7%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ESMV | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 1.64% | 7.78% | 6.14% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.62% | 7.45% | 6.83% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 1.63% | 5.71% | 4.08% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.89% | 2.48% | 1.59% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 1.61% | 1.22% | 0.39% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 0.20% | 2.49% | 2.29% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.81% | 1.59% | 0.78% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 1.28% | 0.95% | 0.33% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 1.64% | 0.51% | 1.13% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 0.76% | 1.37% | 0.61% |
93.5% of ESMV is already inside SPY.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ESMV or SPY?
ESMV has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ESMV or SPY?
Over the past year ESMV returned +10.59% vs +17.47% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ESMV or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 13.0% for ESMV. Worst drawdown: ESMV -19.8% vs SPY -24.5%.
Should I hold both ESMV and SPY?
ESMV and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ESMV and SPY?
93.5% of ESMV's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 58.0% of SPY's is in holdings ESMV also owns. They hold 141 positions in common, counted across the 159 positions we hold weights for in ESMV and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, ESMV or SPY?
ESMV yields 1.42% while SPY yields 0.99%, so ESMV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than ESMV?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ESMV is less concentrated, with 15.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.